‘How dare you?’ Datti condemns El-Rufai’s phone-tapping claim as ‘sheer arrogance’

Datti Baba-Ahmed has attacked former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai over his claim that he intercepted the phone communications of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.

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sheer arrogance

Speaking on MIC ON PODCAST, Baba-Ahmed described the disclosure as “sheer arrogance” and asked how a former governor could publicly admit to tapping the phone of a senior security official. El-Rufai made the claim during a live interview on Arise TV in February.

Baba-Ahmed questioned what could have led El-Rufai to make such a statement. “I mean, if not sheer arrogance from money you’ve spent, how dare, on earth, even if you’re drunk, would you say something like that?” he said.

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I mean, if not sheer arrogance from money you’ve spent, how dare, on earth, even if you’re drunk, would you say something like that?

He broadened his criticism to the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, alleging that financial influence determined access to power. He also alleged that President Bola Tinubu recognised and exploited what he described as weaknesses involving Buhari and those around him.

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Once you give money to Buhari’s people, you can have your way. That is why Nasir El-Rufai will come out and tell you that he’s tapping the phone of the security adviser.

El-Rufai served as Kaduna governor from 2015 to 2023 and was a prominent member of Buhari’s administration before Tinubu became president in May 2023. Baba-Ahmed was Peter Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, in which they finished third behind Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar.

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So, uncle (Tinubu) saw that weakness, and he exploited it to the fullest.